Queensland firm elevates three

The intellectual property and business and commercial teams of the firm welcome two new directors

By Sol Dolor

Bennett & Philp Lawyers has elevated two of its seasoned lawyers to senior positions, while it rewarded another with an associate post for opening inroads to China.

The commercial law firm has promoted Nicole Murdoch and Maurice Hannan to director and advances Sandy Zhang to associate.

Murdoch, who was previously senior associate in the firm’s intellectual property team, is a qualified Lawyer, electrical engineer, and trademarks attorney. She has particular expertise in privacy law, information security, trademarks, designs, copyright, and patents infringement.

She represents clients in IP litigation, including in trademark, patent, copyright, and domain name disputes. She also acts in software theft litigation, including misuse of confidential information and domain name disputes.

Hannan, who has been promoted from special counsel in the business and commercial team, specialises in commercial, health, and franchising law. Dual-qualified in law and pharmacy, he strategically contributes to the firm’s growing clientele in the health sector.

He acts in acquisitions, leases, franchises, business structuring and restructurings , and banking and finance agreements. He also owned and operated large pharmacies in Brisbane and Adelaide and was appointed by the minister of health to the Pharmacy Board of Queensland.

Zhang has made a major contribution to the Bennett & Philp IP team, the firm said, particularly in establishing legal and business opportunities in China. A specialist in IP and commercial law, he is fluent in Mandarin, has a double degree in business and law, and has worked in the IT field, including web programming and database design.